Apparatuses and methods for mounting an optical device to an object

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for removably mounting an optical sighting device such as a telescopic sight to an object, which may, for example, comprise a surveyor's tool or a firearm, etc. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a front mounting assembly and a rear mount assembly. In one embodiment, a first mounting member that is attachable to the object and shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device therein. A second mounting member is pivotally, movably or removably coupled to the first mounting member and is selectively movable between a first position wherein the optical sighting device may be supported between the first mounting member and the second mounting member and a second position wherein the optical sighting device may be removed from between the first and second mounting members. A windage adjustment member may be supported on one of the first and second mounting members and an elevation adjustment member may be supported on one of the first and second mounting members. A resilient support member may also be supported on one of the first and second mounting members. A telescopic sight that has reticle with crosshairs and a circle whose center coincides with the center point of the crosshairs is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Apparatus for removably mounting an optical sighting device to a firearm, said apparatus comprising: 
       a first mounting member attachable to the firearm and having a first end and a second end and being shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device between said first end and said second end;  
       a second mounting member having a primary end and a secondary end, said primary end being pivotally coupled to said first end of said first mounting member by a hinge assembly, said secondary end being selectively movable between a first position adjacent said second end of said first mounting member to define an area for movably receiving a portion of the optical sighting device therein, and a  
       second position wherein the secondary end of said second mounting member is remote from said first mounting member such that the portion of the optical sighting device may be removed from said area between said first and second mounting members;  
       a latch assembly coupled to one of said first and second mounting members for releasably affixing said secondary end of said second mounting member to said second end of said first mounting member while maintaining said area for movably receiving the portion of the optical sighting device therein;  
       a windage adjustment member supported on one of said first and second mounting members for contact with the portion of the optical sighting device within said area;  
       an elevation adjustment member supported on one of said first and second mounting members for contact with the portion of the optical sighting device within said area; and  
       a resilient support member in one of said first and second mounting members for contact with the portion of the optical sighting device within said area to movably bias the portion of the optical sighting device into contact with said windage adjustment member and said elevation adjustment member.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  where said windage adjustment member and said elevation adjustment member are supported on said second mounting member and said resilient support member is supported on said first mounting member. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said latch assembly comprises: 
       a locking groove in a portion of said second mounting member; and  
       a latch member movably supported on said first mounting member and being selectively movable between a latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and an unlatched position.  
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said latch member is selectively movable between said latched position and said unlatched position by a threaded member supported in said first mounting member and in threaded engagement with said latch member to axially move said latch member between said latched position and said unlatched position. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said latch member is slidably supported in said first mounting member and is selectively slidable between said latched position and said unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises a latch biasing member in said first mounting member for biasing said latch member to said latched position. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to said first mounting member and is selectively pivotable between said latched position and said unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises: 
       a push button attached to said latch member and movably supported in said first mounting member; and  
       a latch biasing member in said first mounting member in biasing contact with said push button for biasing said push button and said latch member to said latched position.  
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to said first mounting member and is selectively pivotable between said latched position and said unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises a latch biasing member between said latch member and a portion of said first mounting member to bias said latch member to said latched position. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one releasable retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said latch assembly comprises: 
       a locking groove in a portion of said first mounting member; and  
       a latch member movably supported on said second mounting member and being selectively movable between a latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and an unlatched position.  
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said latch member is selectively movable between said latched position and said unlatched position by a threaded member supported in said second mounting member and in threaded engagement with said latch member to axially move said latch member between said latched position and said unlatched position. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said latch member is slidably supported in said second mounting member and is selectively slidable between said latched position and said unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises a latch biasing member in said second mounting member for biasing said latch member to said latched position. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to said second mounting member and is selectively pivotable between said latched position and said unlatched position and wherein said apparatus further comprises: 
       a push button attached to said latch member and movably supported in said second mounting member; and  
       a latch biasing member in said second mounting member in biasing contact with said push button for biasing said push button and said latch member to said latched position.  
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 12  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said latch assembly comprises: 
       a threaded bore in said first mounting member; and  
       a threaded lock member supported in said second mounting member and being selectively threadably engagable with said threaded bore in said first mounting member when said second mounting member is in said first position.  
     
     
       21. The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       22. The apparatus of  claim 20  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one releasable retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein said insert has a plurality of apertures therethrough that correspond with mounting holes in the firearm. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said latch assembly comprises: 
       a threaded bore in said second mounting member; and  
       a threaded lock member supported in said first mounting member being selectively threadably engagable with said threaded bore in said second mounting member when said second mounting member is in said first position.  
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 25  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 27  wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus of  claim 25  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer assembly. 
     
     
       30. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said latch assembly comprises: 
       a lock opening in said second mounting member; and  
       a threaded lock pin threadably supported in said first mounting member, said threaded lock pin having a tapered lock end receivable in said lock opening in said second mounting member when said second mounting member is in said first position.  
     
     
       31. The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       32. The apparatus of  claim 30  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said insert has at least one hole therein that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of  claim 30  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer assembly. 
     
     
       35. The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising: 
       a threaded hole in an end of said second mounting member opposite from said hinge assembly; and  
       a threaded retainer operably attached to an end of said first mounting member opposite said hinge assembly for threaded engagement with said threaded hole when said second mounting member is in said first position.  
     
     
       36. The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       37. The apparatus of  claim 35  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one releasable retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       38. The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer assembly. 
     
     
       39. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said resilient support member comprises: 
       a boss movably supported within a hole in said first mounting member; and  
       a biasing member in said hole for applying a biasing force to said boss.  
     
     
       40. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a mounting insert attachable to the firearm;  
       an insert cavity in a base portion of said first mounting member sized to receive a portion of said mounting insert therein; and  
       at least one retainer for attaching said base portion of said first mounting member to said insert.  
     
     
       41. The apparatus of  claim 40  wherein said insert has at least one hole therethrough that corresponds with at least one mounting hole in the firearm. 
     
     
       42. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the optical sighting device is a telescopic sight with a fixed reticle. 
     
     
       43. The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein said telescopic sight is multi-powered. 
     
     
       44. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said windage adjustment member comprises a micrometer type assembly and wherein said elevation adjustment member comprises another micrometer type assembly. 
     
     
       45. Apparatus for removably mounting a telescopic sight to a firearm, said apparatus comprising: 
       a first mounting means attachable to the firearm, said first mounting means supporting a portion of the telescopic sight on a portion of the firearm;  
       a second mounting means movably coupled to said first mounting means, said second mounting means selectively movable between a first position wherein the portion of the telescopic sight is movably supported between said first mounting means and said second mounting means and a second position wherein the portion of the telescopic sight may be removed from between said first mounting means and said second mounting means;  
       means attached to one of said first and second mounting means for selectively adjusting windage of the telescopic sight when the portion of the telescopic sight is received between said first and second mounting means;  
       means attached to one of said first and second mounting means for selectively adjusting elevation of the telescopic sight when the portion of the telescopic sight is received between said first and second mounting means;  
       resilient support means for supporting the portion of the telescopic sight received between the first and second mounting means; and  
       means for releasably latching a portion of said second mounting means to said first mounting means when said second mounting means is in said first position.  
     
     
       46. Apparatus for removably mounting an optical sighting device to a firearm, said apparatus comprising: 
       a primary mounting member attachable to the firearm and shaped to support a portion of the optical sighting device therein;  
       a secondary mounting member movably coupled to said primary mounting member and being selectively movable between a primary position wherein the optical sighting device is supported between said primary mounting member and said secondary mounting member and a secondary position wherein the optical sighting device may be removed from between said primary and secondary mounting members;  
       at least one support member in said primary mounting member; and  
       at least two adjustable support members in said secondary mounting member.  
     
     
       47. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein said secondary mounting member is pivotally coupled to said primary mounting member by a hinge assembly. 
     
     
       48. The apparatus of  claim 46  further comprising a latch assembly in one of said primary and secondary mounting members for releasably retaining said secondary mounting member in said primary position. 
     
     
       49. The apparatus of  claim 48  wherein said latch assembly comprises: 
       a locking groove in a portion of said secondary mounting member; and  
       a latch member movably supported on said primary mounting member and being selectively movable between a latched position wherein said latch member is retainingly received in said locking groove and an unlatched position.  
     
     
       50. The apparatus of  claim 46  wherein said support members are resilient. 
     
     
       51. A telescopic sight system for a firearm, comprising: 
       a telescopic sight;  
       at least two mounting assemblies attached to the firearm for detachably supporting a portion of said telescopic sight on the firearm wherein at least one said mounting assembly comprises:  
       a first mounting member attached to the firearm and shaped to support a  
       portion of said telescopic sight therein;  
       a second mounting member pivotally coupled to said first mounting member and being selectively pivotable between a first retaining position wherein the one portion of said telescopic sight is supported between said first and second mounting members and a second position wherein the one portion of the telescopic sight may be removed from between said first and second mounting members;  
       a windage adjustment member supported on said first mounting member;  
       an elevation adjustment member supported on said second mounting member; and  
       a resilient support member mounted to said second mounting member.  
     
     
       52. The telescopic sight system of  claim 51  further comprising a biasing member between one of said mounting assemblies and a protruding portion of said telescopic sight.